Old Style Pilsner: The Pride of Lethbridge

In Lethbridge, when we’re not mining for coal or wrestling bears, we’re usually drinking an ice-cold Pil. First brewed in Lethbridge in 1926, Old Style Pilsner is a beer that has remained strong in Western Canada since its inception.

Being half Czech, beer has played an important part of my life. In fact, it’s the national drink of the Czech Republic, much like wine is to France. And like wine, there are many varieties from different regions, each with their own recipe. “Pilsener” is a pale lager, developed in the 19th century in the Bohemian city of Plzeň.

My earliest memories of Old Style Pilsner are when I was a youngster, drinking a stubby in my crib. Those were the days when soiling your pants was the norm, not the exception. So here’s the story of my favourite beer as I know it.

Fritz Sick, whose product also fills a Lethbridge pool, founded Sicks’ Breweries Ltd. in 1901 with his son Emil. They originally brewed another beer, Alberta Pride, until prohibition forced them to cease production. When business resumed as usual, Pilsner was created as a replacement, using an old-style rice-base recipe. Thus, the House of Lethbridge brewing empire was born.

Although the brewery closed its doors many years ago, Brewery Gardens stands in its place to welcome visitors to Lethbridge. A monument to the House of Lethbridge exists as a reminder for us to “never forget.” Presently, Molson continues the production of Pilsner beer in both Edmonton and Vancouver.

The Pilsner label largely remains unchanged to this day. Fritz Sick’s daughter, Louise, designed the label to incorporate elements symbolic to Lethbridge and Western Canada – the Concord Stagecoach, the Purple Label airplane, transportation, Native life, Monks brewing beer, the House of Lethbridge and the rabbits, which no one can figure out. Attempts at modernizing the label have always led to revolt.

Pilsner is often mistaken by many to be a Saskatchewan product, due to its sponsorship of the Saskatchewan Roughriders CFL team. And indeed they have taken it as their own, giving it affectionate names such as “Saskatchewan Champagne.” This is a testament to the quality of a product that has withstood the test of time.

Pilsner has gathered a loyal following all across Western Canada. The pride of Lethbridge, it is a beer that transcends generations and classes and continues to inspire others.

Great post!
I grew up in Lethbridge and my dad was an engineer at the old Pilsner plant until it shut down. He moved to Edmonton and worked at Molson’s for another 20 years.
To say I spent my childhood growing up in beer houses is an understatement. Spending hours upon hours in the hot rooms where the kettles brewed our golden nectar… well, that is a memory I hold dear.

Great post!
I grew up in Lethbridge and my dad was an engineer at the old Pilsner plant until it shut down. He moved to Edmonton and worked at Molson’s for another 20 years.
To say I spent my childhood growing up in beer houses is an understatement. Spending hours upon hours in the hot rooms where the kettles brewed our golden nectar… well, that is a memory I hold dear.

I’d have to correct you Jonny on the date of the origin of Pilsner Urquell beer, if I knew exactly when it was, but it certainly wasn’t in the nineteenth century, it would have been more like the 15th or 16th.

I’d have to correct you Jonny on the date of the origin of Pilsner Urquell beer, if I knew exactly when it was, but it certainly wasn’t in the nineteenth century, it would have been more like the 15th or 16th.

Hi there I moved to Alberta from Ontario when I was fresh out of high school,to work on the oil rigs,and now that I moved back to Ontario I like to reflect on the good times with my friends and family.I was just telling some people about pils brewed in lethbridge and no one here had ever heard of it.I went on a mission to find it and discovered none of the beer stores around here have heard of it and obviously don’t carry it.I think this is a crying shame as this pilsner was my absolute favorite drink the entire time I was in alberta and b.c. as it was enjoyed warm,luke ,cold and ice cold,it was always a tasty lil pil…..

Hi there I moved to Alberta from Ontario when I was fresh out of high school,to work on the oil rigs,and now that I moved back to Ontario I like to reflect on the good times with my friends and family.I was just telling some people about pils brewed in lethbridge and no one here had ever heard of it.I went on a mission to find it and discovered none of the beer stores around here have heard of it and obviously don’t carry it.I think this is a crying shame as this pilsner was my absolute favorite drink the entire time I was in alberta and b.c. as it was enjoyed warm,luke ,cold and ice cold,it was always a tasty lil pil…..

The Pilsner label largely remains unchanged to this day. Fritz Sick’s daughter, Louise, designed the label to incorporate elements symbolic to Lethbridge and Western Canada — the Concord Stagecoach, the Purple Label airplane, transportation, Native life, Monks brewing beer, the House of Lethbridge and the rabbits, which no one can figure out. Attempts at modernizing the label have always led to revolt.

Hi there,

I grew up thinking that my grandfather designed (perhaps with Louise) and then drew the label for this beer (he did lithograph work). The “rabbits” were part of a game with the grandchildren.

Awesome! Being new to Winnipeg (from ontario) i spotted the unfamiliar brew at a local beer vendor. One look at the masterpiece artwork gracing the packaging and i had to grab a case. Didn’t expected to taste so good. Now I’m a fan 🙂

ah yes, most of my popson family worked there…my dad,Stan Popson was a millwright and pres. of the union…he passed away this year and his fondest memories were from the brewery. A Czech family that drank the best beer ever…it was sad to see the brewery taken down.